Friday, 2 August 2019

Weekly report on israel’s terrorism on Palestinians (25 July – 31 July 2019)



Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory
25- 31 July 2019
  • Great March of Return in Eastern Gaza Strip: A Palestinian Civilian Killed and 73 others injured, including 35 children, 3 women and a paramedic in the oPt. 
  • West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem: 8 Civilians Injured, including 2 children. 
  • 62 civilians, including 3 children, arrested during 71 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem. 
  • 3 residential tents torn down in the northern Jordan Valley, 80 olive trees uprooted in Salfit, and 5 dunums confiscated from Sour Baher in occupied Jerusalem. 
  • 5 shooting incidents reported against Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza shores. 
  • Flare Bombs dropped in a house in eastern Deir al-Balah in the Central Gaza Strip. 
  • 44 temporary checkpoints established in the West Bank, where 4 Palestinian civilians were arrested. 

Summary 
During the reporting period, PCHR documented 133 violations of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian during the Great March of Return protests in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.  They also injured 81 others in the Gaza Strip and West Bank: 73 injuries, including 35 children, 3 women and a paramedic at the Great March of Return; and 8 injuries, including 2 children, during Israeli forces’ suppression of peaceful protests and incursions into residential neighbourhoods in the West Bank.
Israel carried out 71 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and raided civilian houses attacking and enticing fear among residents. Moreover, 62 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 children and a Member of the dissolved Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
Additionally, 4 incidents were documented by PCHR under expanded settlement activity as the Israeli forces destroyed the fronts of an under-construction building in Nablus and bulldozed 3 residential tents and livestock barns in the northern Jordan Valley.  Furthermore, they confiscated 5 dunums from Sour Baher village in occupied Jerusalem and uprooted 80 fruitful olive trees in Salfit.
During the reporting period, the Israeli naval forces continued their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen and their equipment at sea though sailing within the allowed fishing area.  This week witnessed 5 shooting and chasing incidents against the fishermen and their boats.  Further, the Israeli forces opened fire twice in eastern Gaza Strip, where flare bombs fell on a house in eastern Deir al-Balah.  No casualties were reported.
It should be highlighted that Israel continues its closure policy on the Gaza Strip for the 13th consecutive year, severely restricting the freedom of movement of persons and goods and isolating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and the rest of the world. Meanwhile, the West Bank is divided into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation and with temporary and permanent checkpoints.  During this week, 44 temporary military checkpoints were erected, and 4 Palestinian civilians were arrested there.

Violation of the right to life and to bodily integrity
Excessive Use of Force
The 68th Great March of Return took off in eastern Gaza Strip on Friday, 26 July 2019, titled “Palestinians Refugees of Lebanon”. The Israeli attacks resulted in killing 1 civilian and injury of 73 other, including 35 children, 3 women and a paramedic.
The incidents were as follows:

Excessive Use of Force against the Great March of Return in the Gaza Strip
  • Northern Gaza Strip: hundreds of civilians marched towards the central tent of the Great March of Return in Abu Safiyah area, northeast of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. The protest involved activities such as national songs of the Palestinian heritage, speeches by political leaders in addition to raising the Palestinian flag. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces stationed behind sand berms and in military vehicles along the border fence, fired live and rubber bullets as well as teargas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 11 of them were injured, including 5 children and a woman: 8, including the 5 children, were shot with live bullets; and 3, including a woman, with rubber bullets. 
  • Gaza City: At approximately 17:00, hundreds of civilians marched towards the central tent of the Great March of Return titled: “Palestinians Refugees of Lebanon” in eastern Malakah area. The protest involved raising Palestinian flags and chanting slogans and national songs. Tens of young men approached the border with Israel and threw stones at soldiers using slingshots. The activities continued until 19:00 on the same day. Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the participants, wounding 8, including 2 children and a woman. The wounded paramedic, Ibrahim Jamil Jamous (31) was hit with a rubber bullet in his right hand.
  • Central Gaza Strip:  Approximately 15:00, around 900 participants (women, men, young men, elderlies, children and entire families) swarmed to the Return encampments, which are 400 meters away from the border fence with Israel in eastern al-Buriaj. Hundreds peacefully approached the border fence up to a distance of 2 – 250 meters away. A number of young men flew paper kites and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed there; the latter responded with live and rubber bullets in addition to teargas canisters. As a result, 21 civilians sustained wounds, including 12 children and a woman: 16 were shot with live bullets, 4 were shot with rubber bullets and 1was directly hit with a teargas canister.
  • Khan Younis:  At approximately 16:30, hundreds of civilians marched to the central encampment in Khuza’ah, east of Khan Younis, and activities included speeches, folklore songs and theoretical performances. Meanwhile, tens of young men approached the border fence with Israel and set tires on fire, threw stones and fireworks at the Israeli soldiers sheltered in military vehicles along the border fence. The Israeli attacks against protestors resulted in the killing of Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah al-Qarra (23), from Bani Suhaila, who was shot with a live bullet to the abdomen, causing him an internal bleeding at approximately 18:05. Al-Qarra was present 80 meters away from the border when he was shot, while eyewitness statements affirm that he was merely standing there. Due to his critical injury, al-Qarra was transferred from the medical point in the encampment to Gaza European Hospital where he stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until his death was declared at approximately 23:40. Furthermore, 12 civilians were injured, including 8 children: 2 wounded in their upper extremities and 2 in their lower limbs. Of the wounded, 10 were shot with live bullets and shrapnel, and 2 were directly hit with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. Furthermore, dozens of civilians, including journalists and paramedics, suffocated due to teargas inhalation. Later that evening, at approximately 19:00, as the protests almost finished, at least 10 young men approached the border fence and attempted to cross it; some of them managed cross.  The Israeli forces chased the infiltrators and released police dogs at them, biting two, including a 12-year-old child.  All of them managed to flee back into the Gaza Strip and received treatment at the medical point. 
  • Rafah: Around 1400 civilians participated in the eastern Shokah protests, where folklore shows, and speeches were held. Dozens approached the border fence and threw stones. The Israeli soldiers used live and rubber bullets, and teargas canisters against the protestors. The incidents, which continued until approximately 19:00, resulted in the injury of 21 civilians, including 8 children: 8 wounded in the upper part of their bodies. Ten of those wounded were shot with live bullets and shrapnel, 7 shot with rubber bullets and 4 were hit with tear gas canisters. Mohammed Fathi Qeshtah (25) sustained serious wounds caused by a live bullet to the abdomen.

Excessive Use of Force against Protests in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem
  • At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 25 July 2019, a few children and youngsters gathered at the entrance to al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, adjacent to the Bypass Road (60), and threw stones at Israeli soldiers sheltered in a military watchtower. The soldiers used rubber bullets and teargas canisters against the stone-throwers, causing the injury of a 17-year-old child with a rubber bullet to the left leg. The child was then transferred to Hebron Governmental Hospital.
  • At approximately 13:30 on Friday afternoon, 26 July 2019, Palestinians from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah organized their peaceful weekly protest, and then headed to the eastern village entrance that has been closed for 15 years in favor of “Kedumim” settlement. The demonstrators chanted national slogans demanding end of the occupation and protesting the Israeli forces’ crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms while the soldiers fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 26-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the neck, a 30-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the back and a 25-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the hand. (Names of the wounded civilians are available at PCHR) 
  • Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity 
  • At approximately 23:30 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 28 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed northwest of Beit Lahia shore in northern Gaza strip, opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles in an attempt to sink them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 23:15 on the same Monday, Israeli forces backed by a bulldozer moved into Nablus from the southern entrance (Howarah checkpoint) and eastern entrance (Beit Furik) to secure the entry of dozens of buses carrying settlers to the abovementioned area in order to perform their prayers in “Joseph’s Tomb” in Balatat al-Balad, east of the city. A number of civilians gathered on Amman Street, set tires on fire, put barricades on the street and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli patrols in the city. The Israeli forces fired Two-Two bullets at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded to the right thigh.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia shore in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles in an attempt to sink these boats. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, fired several flare bombs at the area adjacent to the border fence. A bomb fell on a house belonging to Kamel Sayed al-Louh (60), 800 meters away from the border fence, causing partial damage to the apartment of his son Haitham (30). Another bomb fell on the street, east of al-Louh house, while the third fell in the landfill, east of Deir al-Balah, 20 meters away from the border fence. No arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 31 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire and fired flare bombs at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives; neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 31 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis fired live bullets at agricultural lands in al-Sanati area, east of ‘Abasan al-Kabirah, west of the border fence. As a result, a tire of a tractor belonging to ‘Azam Qdaih, was hit with a live bullet while working in a land 150 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the tractor stopped working and left the area.

  1. Incursions and Arrests
Thursday, 25 July 2019:
  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into several neighborhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to ‘Azam No’man Salhab (59), a Member at the dissolved Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) representing the Reform and Change Bloc, and Ayman Mohammed al-Natshah (40) and then arrested them.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ghassan ‘Adnan al-Atrash (35) and Abdul Rahman ‘Ali Mahmoud Saleh Abu Khader (37) and then arrested them.
  • At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Wad Barqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yahiya Ahmed ‘Ali Turkman al-Hendawi (48) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to engineer Meqdad Ahmed Nawahdah (38) and then arrested him.
  • At the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Silah al-Harithiyah village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Essa ‘Aram (23) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiyah village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. they raided and searched several houses and then arrested 7 civilians, including a father and his 2 sons, taking them to detentions centers for investigation. The arrestees were identified as: Tha’er Abed Mahmoud, his sons Mohammed and Abdul Rahman; Adham Sabtah, Mohammed Amin Khalaf, Mohammed Abed ‘Atiyah and Nasim Amjad ohsen.
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anzah village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Awni Obaid (27) and the arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Balatat al-Balad refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided ad searched a house belonging to Omer Bassam Wadee’a Qar’an (30) and the arrested him.
  • At around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Surif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Ghuneimat (20) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Qaz’out village, northeast of Nablus. They surrounded a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Ataa Hasan Sharai’ah at the village entrance blew up the main gate of a workshop under the house and then confiscated 2 metal lathes and their parts and later withdrew from the house. Mohammed Sharai’ah said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:
“At approximately 03:30 on Thursday, 25 July 2019, my family of 8 members were asleep at our house in ‘Azmout village, northeast of Nablus. We woke up to an explosive sound under our 2-story house (the ground floor is used as stores and a workshop while the other floor is used as a resident). Israeli soldiers blew up the main gate, handcuffed me and left me under the staircase in the ground floor. I asked them to speak with the officer, but they refused. The soldiers then destroyed the lathes in an attempt to dismantle them. At approximately 06:30, the soldiers brought a mounted-crane truck and confiscated the lathes that cost about NIS 125,000. After the soldiers withdrew from the house, my wife told me that they detained her and my children in our bedroom, searched the house and questioned my wife.”
  • At approximately 19:00, a number of children and youngsters gathered in al-Zawiyah Gate area in the center of Hebron. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint established at the entrance to al-Shuhada’a Street (Checkpoint No. 56). The soldiers chased them and then arrested Ezz Eden Yusuf Mo’amer al-Atrash (17), and took him to the military camp on al-Shuhada’a closed street.
  • At approximately 19:30 Israeli forces stationed at a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance to al-Kafriyat entrance, south of Tulkarm, arrested Baha’a ‘Ezz Eden al-Jalad (28) and Ahmed Khalil Mohammed al-Shafe’i (26), from Tulkarm, and confiscated al-Jalad’s vehicle.
  • Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in al-Thaheriyah and Beit al-Roush al-Tahta in Hebron; Sebastia village, northwest of Nablus. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 26 July 2019:
  • Israeli forces carried out (4) incursions in Bani Na’im, Tarqumiya, al-Semia villages and Yatta in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 27 July 2019:
  • Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Dura, Karza, Nuba and Tarama villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 28 July 2019
  • At approximately 01:25, Israeli forces moved into Bedia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Mohammed Mustafa Shatat (26) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Hasan Matrouk (20) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yusuf Ibrahim ‘Afanah (20) and then arrested him.
  • At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. they raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Karim Hammad Farajallah (35) and then arrested him.
  • At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Huneinah neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shadi Abdul Fattah ‘Amr (35) and then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
  • At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Oseid Ayman Shafiq Qabbag (19) and Adam Omer Sobhi Qabbag (24) and then arrested them.
  • Israeli forces carried out (4) incursions in Sebastia village, northwest of Nablus, Deir al-‘Asal, Abu al-‘Asja and al-Thaheriyah villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 29 July 2019:
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiyah village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 7 civilians, including 2 children: Nagham Mohammed Hasan ‘Elyan (16), Mo’atasem Hamzah Obeid (15). The other arrestees were identified as: Yusuf Hashem ‘Elyan, Majed Suleiman Dari, Mohammed ‘Elyan, Anas ‘Elyan and Fadi Yusuf Mustafa ‘Obeid.
  • At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They confiscated an excavator driven by Suhail Samih Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah, from Yasouf village, east of Salfit. The excavator, which belongs to Shaker Shukri Talab, from the abovementioned village, was working on expanding ‘Aqraba main street near Sheikh Sa’adah Mosque for favor of ‘Aqraba Municipality. The soldiers forced Suhail to drive the excavator to Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus where it was confiscated.
  • Israeli forces carried out (6) incursions in northern ‘Asirah village, north of Nablus; eastern al-Laban village, southeast of the city; al-Thaheriyah, Bani Na’im, Emrish and Susiya villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 30 July 2019:
  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed ‘Emad al-Taiti (19) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta in southern Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Loai Khaled al-‘Amour (25) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Shaiekh neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rezeq Mohamed Burhan al-Ja’bari (28) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hassan Mahmoud Jarrar (22) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ratib Raied Rajeh Bali (18) and Fares Hussain Rahhal (21) and then arrested them.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Tawfiq Hamdi Turkman (20) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into ‘Izbit Shofa village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nashat Mohamed Mostafa Hamad (30) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Zaiyd Ikhlayil (23) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fathi Ahmed al-Badareen (27) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established a military checkpoint nar Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They stopped Palestinians ‘vehicles, checked their IDs and then arrested Jehad ‘Ortani (30), from Nablus.
  • In the evening, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested 5 civilians and took them to detention facilities for interrogation. The arrestees were identified as Sari Raied Jaber, Jum’a Marwan Hamdan, Nayif Waseem ‘Obaid, Mahmoud Ramadan ‘Obaid, and ‘Abed Abu Sayimah. The Israeli forces also raided Tsh’ari Tsedeq Hospital in western Jerusalem and arrested Zakaria ‘Olayan (47) from his workplace.
  • On Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli police summoned Mohamed Rabie’ ‘Olayian (4) for interrogation and his father accompanied him. On Tuesday morning, 30 July 2019, they arrived at Salah al-Deen Police Station in central occupied East Jerusalem, but an Israeli police officer refused to receive him, claiming that they did not summon him. Mohamed’s family confirmed that the Israeli forces ordered Mohamed’s father to bring his son for interrogation.
  • On Tuesday evening, 30 July 2019, the Israeli police summoned Qais Feras ‘Obaid (6) for interrogation in Salah al-Deen Police Station and his father accompanied him. It should be noted that the Israeli forces pursued Qais to arrest him under the pretext of throwing stones. Qais said that he threw a juice box to the ground when the soldiers were in front of his family house in al-‘Issawiyia village.
  • Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Tubas, Dura, Karza, and Dir Samet villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.


Wednesday, 31 July 2019:
  • At approximately 00:20, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ateel village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Laith Helmi Abu Khalil (18), Mujaef Helmi Abu Khalil (19), and Yousef Helmi Abu Khalil (20) after interrogating them. All of them were later released.
  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Yaser Khaled Mohamed Manna’ (30), Marwan Stayitah (35), and Fadel al-Kurdi (32).
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Jawad Khadir al-Ja’bari (25) and Ibrahim Nimer al-Ja’bari (30) and then arrested them.
  • At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces established a military checkpoint at the entrance to Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of Hebron. They then arrested Haitham’Awon Shehda Abu ‘Arram (23), from Yatta in southern Hebron.
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Soreef village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Islam ‘Arafat al-Hadmi (30) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village in western Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Emad ‘Abed al-‘Aziz al-Batran (38) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’awiyia ‘Afeef Hanini (34) and then arrested him.
  • Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Silat al-Harithyia and al-Yamoun villages, west of Jenin; Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah; and Bani Na’iem and al-Shayyoukh villages in Hebron. 

Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank including occupied East Jerusalem 
  1. Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property for Settlement Expansion Activities
  • At approximately 07:45 on Friday, 26 July 2019, an Israeli infantry force, from “Berkha” settlement, moved into al-Manshrah area in southern Nablus. The Israeli force raided an under-construction house belonging to Montaser Nafi’ ‘Abed al-Latif Mansour (28) and damaged the house’ contents, including a water tank and other construction material. The Israeli forces claimed that the house was built in a military area, even though that they did not hand any official notice or warrant to Montaser’s family.
  • At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbit al-Ras al-Ahmar in Northern Jordan Valley, northeast of Tubas. Israeli forces bulldozed tents, houses, and barns belonging to 3 families. The damage were as follows:
    • Two residential tents built on an area of 60 square meters and used for breeding livestock, in addition to demolishing a solar cell belongs to Ayman ‘Izzat Yousef Bani ‘Odah.
    • A 40-sqaure-meter residential tent was bulldozed, 2 livestock barns built on an area of 100 square meters were also demolished, 2 feeders belonging to Jameel Suliman Bani ‘Odah were damaged.
During the demolition, Israeli forces confiscated the IDs of 3 activists in the popular resistance movement, identified as Ayman Rabah Ghareeb Bani ‘Odah, Ahmed Mahmoud Sa’ied Mosalamni, and Rashid Khaled Rashid Sawaftah. They also confiscated a cell phone belonging to Fawzi Faraj ‘Abed al-Khaleq Abu Zainah.
  • On Tuesday, the Israeli authorities confiscated a plot of land in al-Qaysan neighborhood in Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of its allocation for public utility, according to Hamada Hamada, Head of Wadi al-Humus Families Committee. He added that the plot of land, property of Omar Ahmed Dabash and Yaser ‘Ali Khalil Doyat, was built on 5 dunums and 200 square meters. Dabash and Doyat challenged the decision before the Israeli Courts, but the court decided in favor of the Israeli authorities. The latter claimed that they confiscated that land to build public utility facilities such as a community center, police station and daycare centers.
  1. Israeli Settler Violence
  • At approximately 10:50 on Saturday, 27 July 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, from “Rahalim“ settlement, attacked 80 olive trees, sawed them, and broke their twigs. The trees belong to the siblings Radi and Ahmed Mahmoud Hussain ‘Atiyani. Radi told PCHR’s fieldworker that: “At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 27 July 2019, my brother Rajeh headed to his plot of land in Khelet Wasel area, east of Yasouf village and found that all trees were sawed by Israeli settlers and their twigs were broken. It should be noted that we are denied access to the area, but we go there and come back quickly fearing of the settlers. This was not the first attack, in fact, the Israeli settlers repeatedly launch attacks in the area, so we informed the official bodies. After that, Palestinian police officers and Liaison came to the area and we submitted a complaint.”

  • Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods
The Gaza Strip
As the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip enters its 14th consecutive year this July, severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of persons and goods enhance the de facto separation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Moreover, Israeli naval forces imposed a blockade, chased fishermen, opened fire at them, and confiscated their fishing equipment. During the reporting period, 5 shooting incidents and chasing fishermen and their boats were documented.

  • Note: No updates occurred on the state of the crossing during the reporting

  1. West Bank
In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. Israeli forces established 44 temporary checkpoints, from which they arrested 4 civilians.
The military checkpoint were as follows:

Qalqiliyia: 
  • On Friday, 26 July 2019, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Kafur Qaddoum and Jeet villages, north of Qalqiliyia; and at the entrance to ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb village, east of the city.
  • On Saturday, 27 July 2019, 2 similar checkpoints were established at the entrances to ‘Azoun and ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb villages, east of Qalqiliyia.

Salfit: 
  • At approximately 05:30 on Friday, 26 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Kaful Hares village, north of Salfit.

Tulkarm: 
  • On Thursday, 25 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Kafriyat, south of Tulkarm, where they arrested 2 civilians and confiscated a vehicle.

Nablus: 
  • At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 27 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Bypass road “Khelet al-Tota intersection”, at the north-eastern entrance to Zawatah village, west of Nablus.
  • At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 28 July 2019, a similar checkpoint was established at Dir Sharaf village’s square, west of the city.
  • At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in ‘Ain Mizrab area, at the north-eastern entrance to Tal village, southwest of Nablus.

Ramallah: 
  • On Thursday, 25 July 2019, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to al-Nabi Saleh and Dir Nizam villages, west of Ramllah; and at the entrance to Beit ‘Or al-Tahtah village, south of Ramallah.
  • On Friday, 26 July 2019, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city.
  • On Saturday, 27 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Dir Abu Mish’al and al-Nabi Saleh villages, northwest of Ramallah.
  • On Monday, 4 similar checkpoints were established at the entrances to Shaqbah, Beit Ur al-Tahtah and ‘Atarah villages, and at the entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp.
  • On Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Nabi Salah village, northwest of Ramallah.
  • At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near senjil village, north of Ramallah. They stopped Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs, and then arrested a civilian from Nablus.

Hebron:
  • On Thursday, 25 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Beit Kahel village and on Wad Risha road.
  • On Friday, 26 July 2019, 3 similar checkpoints were established at the entrance to Tarousa village, at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the northern entrance to Halhoul village.
  • On Saturday, 27 July 2019, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Ethna and Beit Ummerm villages, at the entrance to al-Fawar camp, at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the southern entrance to Halhoul village.
  • On Sunday, 28 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the intersection of Beit ‘Aynoun village and at the southern entrance to Halhoul village.
  • On Monday, 29 July 2019, 4 similar checkpoints were established at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the entrances to al-Dahiriyia, Bani Na’iem and Jalajel villages,
  • At approximately 09:00 on Monday, Israeli authorities closed with sand berms and stones Sha’b al-Baten road, leading to al-Masafer area, east of Yatta in southern Hebron. It should be noted that it was the 3rd time that the Israeli authorities closed the road after Palestinians opening it; this road is considered an essential route for traffic connecting nearby towns and governorates.
  • On Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Samou’a and Tarqumiyia.
  • On Wednesday, 31 July 2019, 3 similar checkpoints were established at the entrances to Beit ‘Awaa, Sa’ir and Beit Ummer villages.
Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity 
  • At approximately 23:30 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 28 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed northwest of Beit Lahia shore in northern Gaza strip, opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles in an attempt to sink them. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 23:15 on the same Monday, Israeli forces backed by a bulldozer moved into Nablus from the southern entrance (Howarah checkpoint) and eastern entrance (Beit Furik) to secure the entry of dozens of buses carrying settlers to the abovementioned area in order to perform their prayers in “Joseph’s Tomb” in Balatat al-Balad, east of the city. A number of civilians gathered on Amman Street, set tires on fire, put barricades on the street and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli patrols in the city. The Israeli forces fired Two-Two bullets at them. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded to the right thigh.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia shore in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire and pumped water at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles in an attempt to sink these boats. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 29 July 2019, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, fired several flare bombs at the area adjacent to the border fence. A bomb fell on a house belonging to Kamel Sayed al-Louh (60), 800 meters away from the border fence, causing partial damage to the apartment of his son Haitham (30). Another bomb fell on the street, east of al-Louh house, while the third fell in the landfill, east of Deir al-Balah, 20 meters away from the border fence. No arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 31 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire and fired flare bombs at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives; neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 07:20 on Wednesday, 31 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis fired live bullets at agricultural lands in al-Sanati area, east of ‘Abasan al-Kabirah, west of the border fence. As a result, a tire of a tractor belonging to ‘Azam Qdaih, was hit with a live bullet while working in a land 150 meters away from the border fence. As a result, the tractor stopped working and left the area.
Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank including occupied East Jerusalem

  1. Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property for Settlement Expansion Activities
  • At approximately 07:45 on Friday, 26 July 2019, an Israeli infantry force, from “Berkha” settlement, moved into al-Manshrah area in southern Nablus. The Israeli force raided an under-construction house belonging to Montaser Nafi’ ‘Abed al-Latif Mansour (28) and damaged the house’ contents, including a water tank and other construction material. The Israeli forces claimed that the house was built in a military area, even though that they did not hand any official notice or warrant to Montaser’s family.
  • At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbit al-Ras al-Ahmar in Northern Jordan Valley, northeast of Tubas. Israeli forces bulldozed tents, houses, and barns belonging to 3 families. The damage were as follows:
    • Two residential tents built on an area of 60 square meters and used for breeding livestock, in addition to demolishing a solar cell belongs to Ayman ‘Izzat Yousef Bani ‘Odah.
    • A 40-sqaure-meter residential tent was bulldozed, 2 livestock barns built on an area of 100 square meters were also demolished, 2 feeders belonging to Jameel Suliman Bani ‘Odah were damaged.
During the demolition, Israeli forces confiscated the IDs of 3 activists in the popular resistance movement, identified as Ayman Rabah Ghareeb Bani ‘Odah, Ahmed Mahmoud Sa’ied Mosalamni, and Rashid Khaled Rashid Sawaftah. They also confiscated a cell phone belonging to Fawzi Faraj ‘Abed al-Khaleq Abu Zainah.
  • On Tuesday, the Israeli authorities confiscated a plot of land in al-Qaysan neighborhood in Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of its allocation for public utility, according to Hamada Hamada, Head of Wadi al-Humus Families Committee. He added that the plot of land, property of Omar Ahmed Dabash and Yaser ‘Ali Khalil Doyat, was built on 5 dunums and 200 square meters. Dabash and Doyat challenged the decision before the Israeli Courts, but the court decided in favor of the Israeli authorities. The latter claimed that they confiscated that land to build public utility facilities such as a community center, police station and daycare centers.
  1. Israeli Settler Violence
  • At approximately 10:50 on Saturday, 27 July 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, from “Rahalim“ settlement, attacked 80 olive trees, sawed them, and broke their twigs. The trees belong to the siblings Radi and Ahmed Mahmoud Hussain ‘Atiyani. Radi told PCHR’s fieldworker that: “At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 27 July 2019, my brother Rajeh headed to his plot of land in Khelet Wasel area, east of Yasouf village and found that all trees were sawed by Israeli settlers and their twigs were broken. It should be noted that we are denied access to the area, but we go there and come back quickly fearing of the settlers. This was not the first attack, in fact, the Israeli settlers repeatedly launch attacks in the area, so we informed the official bodies. After that, Palestinian police officers and Liaison came to the area and we submitted a complaint.”

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   
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